Display panel and the like



Aug. 20, 1940. M, AVENSN 2,212,313

DISPLAY PANEL AND-THE LIKE Filed- Aug. s1, 1959 2 sheets-sheet 1 .Zi 42 I@ j@ I 'l Il' 'IN1 l n l YJM? I n INVENTOR, zag, [Uranio/M @672.50m

Allg. 20, 1940. M AVENSON 2,212,313

DISPLAY PANEL AND THE LIKE v Filed Aug. 3l, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 20, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE DISPLAY PANEL AND THE LIKE Application August 31,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to panels, such as those known as background panels, which are used for various display purposes. One use of such a panel is to form a background for window dis- 5 plays and displays in stores, where the displays are frequently changed and it is necessary to alter the background to match a new display. In organizations such -as chain store organizations, where there are several hundred stores,

the preparation of vsuch panels or their purchase in the open market, constitutes a sizeable item of expense. An ordinary general store will use a large number of these various displays, sometimes as many as twenty or thirty.

In the past it has generally been necessary to procure new display panels for each different type ofk background needed. Assume, for example, the display is ice boxes. Ordinarily the background panel would be White or a silvery color accentuating the impression of coolness of the ice boxes. When it is desired tol replace the ice boxes with a display of stokers, for instance, the background would preferably be some other color than white, possibly green or red. In the past where a panel has been finally made up, it has generally been necessary to either store or junk the panels of the discontinued display and procure an entirely new set for the new display, with high cost and much trouble.`

Applicant has provided a display panel which overcomes the objections to the ordinary display panel, set forth above, and one which makes it unnecessary vto destroy a panel when changing a display. One of applicants objects is to provide a panel which is readily adaptable to changing displays, and on which the cover already in use may be quickly and simply removed and stored for later use and a new cover provided for a minimum cost.

One object of applicants invention is to provide a structure which may be shipped knocked down and may be readily assembled without special tools when ready for use. The knocked down feature is advantageous, too, in the stor- 45 age of panels not in use since a minimum amount of space is needed when the panel can be disassembled, the parts placed in a small package and the background itself rolled into a comparativelyv small, neat roll. This eliminates a large loss of 50` storage space and also makes it easy to keepthe panel clean and in rst class condition.

. It is the object of the present invention to provide an arrangement which is cheap, can be manufactured without specialV equipment, and is 55? simple in structure.

1939, serial No. 292,829

It is an object to provide an arrangement wherein most of the parts may be used over and over again in various types of display, being for that purpose comparatively permanent. The framework and. various parts of the panel should last for an indefinitenumber of years if handled with care.

It is an object to provide an arrangement in which the expansion and contraction ordinarily attributablev to coverings and devices similar to this are automatically compensated for. In changing weather and under differ-ent atmospheric conditions, paper or cardboard used in covering a display of this type Will expand or contract. For example, a piece of cardboard nailed to a frame may lit perfectly. If after nailing, it is wet, it will expand and become baggy and loose'. Upon drying it will contract to its original condition and generally go further, to Where it is drawn as tight as a drum head. These expansion and contraction properties make it necessary to provide some compensating means, and as above noted, the compensating means herein provided allows for either expansion or contraction and keeps the panel `covering at the proper tension at all times. This compensating means also tends to prevent warping and damage to the covering.

It is a further object to provide a construction which allows the panels to be placed back to back for a floor display in such a way that the panels appear flush, that is, come up against each other at all sides so that the interior of the back portion of either panel cannot be seen while the other panel is up against the back thereof. This requires the elimination of ordinary protuberances.

It is an object to provide a construction which makes the changing of covers to provide seasonal colors for certain displays, or for other reasons, extremely economical, and makes it possible to economically center the preparation of covers and replacement parts, it being comparatively easy and inexpensive to ship a cover or a part.

It is another object` to provide a panel which can be assembled or taken apart b-y one person in a few minutes and with no special tools.

It is another object to provide a panel that is light weight, and one which will stand Without additional support under normal conditions.

, It is also an object to provide a panel in which all of the parts are standardized and lend themselves to mass production methods.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as th-e nature of the improvements on the line 3 3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; f

Figure 4 is a schematic view showing the parts in approximate position for assembly, the device being that of Figures 1, 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is a rear elevational View of a modified form, the View being fragmentary in' that certain portions are broken away to show the.

details of construction; n

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional View, taken on the line 8 6 of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 7 is a View corresponding to Figure v4,v

but illustrating the modified formof construction shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective View o an element.

Referring more in detail to the construction shown in the various figures, the same number indicatesthe same deviceor portion of construction wherever used in various figures.

In Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, I have provided the cover Iii, which is attached to the side rails II by staples, tacks, or other common means which will hold it securely to the side rails. l

I have provided the tubes I2, which form up right support for the cover when the cover is in position after assembly. These tubes I2 lare preferably constructed of light materials, such as cardboard or linoleum, although they may be solid if weight is desired, preferably having a space at each end hollowed out for receipt of the blocks I3 of the end cross members c I4. The end cross members, as will be apparent from examination of Figures 1,2, rand 4, fit over the ends of the two tubes, and have attached to them the blocks I 3. The ends of the cross members I4 are preferably rounded to conform with the contour of the tubes I2, and the blocksv I3 are offset a slight distance from the ends of the cross members I4, so that when in position the side of each tubeand each end ofthe .cross member Il! are flush vertically. This provides a smoothv surface for the cover Iii .when in position and prevents unsightly bulges.

Preferably the blocks I3 are a close fit into the ends of the tubes I2, so that the assembled structure will be sturdy. Y The display panel is provided with thev center cross members I5, which have their ends out away in a concave shape as will be clearly apparent from examining Figures 3 and 4, the shape of the ends of these center cross members I5 conforming generally to the rounded contour of the tubes I2. As will be more clearly apparent from examination of said Figures 3 `and 4, the portion of the cross members I 5 adjacent the front of the display panel has the end extended a little further than. the lportion adjacent the back of the display panel, so that the forward edge of the centercross. members I 5; will. come iiush with the vertical plane tangent to the front portions of the tubes I2, forming the front of the supporting structure. With this arrangement the cross members I5, in addition to forming support for the tubes I2, also form a backing for the cover I0 and prevent sagging due to a large, unsupported surface. As many of these cross members may be provided as is considered desirable, but two form a good support.

At the back portionof these cross members I5, the rear edge does not normally come to a position parallel with a vertical plane tangent with the back portions of the tubes I2, falling short of that position by a distance equal to the thickness of the siderails II and cover III.

As will be clearly apparent from examination of Figure 3, this provides a rear portion to the display panel which is flat and readily adapts itself to placing two panels back to back and securing a flush, neat appearance. The center cross members I5, and the end cross members. I4, are provided with eye screws I 6. Hook screwsor other fastening means would substitute equally well, but the eye screws seem to be very acceptable anchoring means for the springs'I'I. If eye screws are provided, the springs I 'l prefera-` bly have hook ends which insert in the eye'` screws I6. 4The side rails II are provided withl eye screws, such as I6, at positions generally adjacent their ends and' the positions ofthe center cross members. The springs I'I hookl b etween the eye screws onk the side rails II and the cross members I@ and I5. The tension .of the springs Il holds the cover taut and in position, and compensates for expansion and contraction of said cover IU. g

The tension of the spring I7 likewise holds the cross members I5l in relative position, and re# tains the end cross members I4 snugly in .position.

When this device is assembled it is sturdy, light, and forms a panel having a pleasing and rich appearance due to its thickness. rIt makes an excellent background for any display.k

I have provided the chair glides I8. on the. bot? tom end cross member I4. Preferably at least two of these chair glides I 8 are provided under each tube in a positionwhich will give lstrongest support. These allowv the display panel' tofbel used on a surface which is warped or irregular, and still secure a rm seati'orV the panel.

Referring particularly to Figures 2 and 4, ythe display is set up in a few moments by one person. It is placed on the floor or on a table, the cover underneath, the tubes I2 and center `members. I5 on the cover in relative position for use, and the end cross members Ilt'placed at the ends of the tubes I2. The assembly is preferably performed by rst inserting the blocks I3 of the top cross end memberl Iinto the tubes I2. Then the center cross members I5 are 'placed in posi-V tion and the bottom end cross member I4 has its blocks I3 inserted. in the tubes I2. On this skeletonframe work the cover is fastened by fastening one lend ofa spring Il tothe eye screwy I6 of the side vrails II andthe other end of the spring I'I to the eye screw I Ii of the cross en d` members I., Both sidev railsare so fastened and then the center cross members are fastened likewise by springs. The. assembly is completed in a few moments in this way. Thecovers` are easily changed byv unhooking the spring 4I7 from the side rails II,' placing anotherA cover havingv similar side rails in positionv and rehooking them.

The discarded cover may then be rolled around the side rails (preferably loosely) and stored for further use. If the cover is soiled a second cover may be tacked over the first on the siderails, or the first may be removed and the siderails used with another cover. This is true also with the modified form, of Figures 5, 6 and 7.

Referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7, the tubes I2 have been eliminated. The cross end members I4 are constructed somewhat differently, have shallow notches I9, and the center cross members I5 are likewise somewhat different in shape and have deep notches 20. 'I'he cross members I4 and I5 are provided with the strips 2|, which form. a'broader supporting surface for the cover than the edges of the cross members I4l and I5. These strips 2| are preferably rounded to conform to the contour of the panel edges, and are flush with the ends of the cross members I4 and I5. While, as is clearly apparent from Figure 5, only a small strip 2I has been provided on each cross member, the size of the strips may be extended vertically and horizontally, or either, sufficiently to give a desired smooth support to the cover I0.

The vertical members 22 are provided instead of the tubes I2, shown in the other construction;

These vertical members are preferably formed by using an upright 23 of wood, or the like, and preferably about 21/2X 9A stock, which upright 23 is notched to receive the edges of the center cross members I5, correspondingly notched,` and hold them securely against vertical movement. On the side of the upright 23 from the notches, I have provided holes to receive the bolts 24, which are preferably provided with wing nuts 25. 'I'he purpose of these bolts will be explained later.

On the upright 23 and between the position (when assembled) of the cross members I4 and I5, are fastened the vertical sections 26 which are short sections and are spaced apart a distance equal to the extent of the cross members I5. These vertical sections 26, when in the assembly, form a holding element assisting in retaining the cross members I4 and I5 in relative position, and strengthen the construction. Preferably the notches on the upright 23 and the spaces between the vertical sections 26, form a tight t for the members I5 so that no nails are necessary to hold the members I5 in place.

The upright 23 of the vertical member 22 has about half of each end cut away to form a seat for the end members I4. These end members I4 ar-e each provided with a shallow notch which receives a portion of the extension of the upright 23, as will be best apparent from examining the arrangement of Figure 7. The upright 23 extends outwardly in a rearwardly direction far enough for the side rails II to t flush against it, and be bolted into position with the bolt 24 and wing nuts 25.

In assembling this structure, the cross members I5 are usually rst provided with the strips 2l, and are placed in relative position over the cover IU. The vertical members 22 are set down into position in the notches of the members I5, and the members I4 are placed in position and preferably nailed or screwed to the vertical members 22. For this purpose a single nail in each end of each vertical member will form a very solid structure. When the vertical members 22 an-d the cross members I4 and I5 have been assembled, the side rails II (which, as has been indicated heretofore, are provided with holes for the bolts I l corresponding in position to the holes on the upright 23) carrying the cover I 0 are bolted in position. Preferably the side rails do not come entirely up to the upright 23 so that by adjustment of the wing nuts 25, the cover may be loosened slightly or tightened to compensate for changes in atmospheric condition, resulting in expansion and contraction.

The assembled structure is strong and the it is to be understood that the present disclosure is to be considered from the illustrative standpoint and not as imposing restrictionvor limitation on the invention.

While I have herein shown and described cerl tain features of my invention, still I do not wish to limit myself thereto, except as I may do so in the claims.

I claim:

l. In a device of the class described a panel comprising in combination a plurality of end cross members, one or more center cross members, a plurality of tubes maintained spaced apart b-y said end and center cross members said end cross members having blocks that t into the ends of the tubes securing said tubes solidly into position, said center cross members having end portions that are concaved and t around a portion of the tubes, a cover having side rails, and

fastening means comprising a spring means attached tothe side rails by eye screws and to the` end and center cross members by screws, retaining the cover in position on the panel, the bottom end cross member of said panel being equipped with chair glides.

2. In a device of the class'described a panel comprising in combination a plurality of end members, one or more center cross members, a plurality of uprights maintained in spaced relation by said end and center cross members, a j

removable cover having side rails, said cover being maintained removably in place by spring fastening means between the cross member and the side rails. l

' LORENZO M. AVENSON. 

